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Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION
Parade finishes Giants' season
Bill Kostroun / the associated press New York Giants� Justin Tuck, left, bows to quarterback Eli Manning, right, during the team�s victory celebration rally at MetLife Stadium Tuesday. (CP)
NEW YORK -- Eli Manning hoisted the Lombardi Trophy from a glittering blue-and-white float, and Mayor Michael Bloomberg joked that New York City should now be nicknamed the "Big Blue Apple" as thousands of fans crowded lower Manhattan on Tuesday to celebrate the New York Giants' Super Bowl victory amid tons of confetti.
The parade set off from the southern tip of Manhattan and rolled slowly north to City Hall, past fans dressed head to toe in red, blue and white Giants gear, with confetti wafting slowly from the highrises lining Broadway.
Manning, the Super Bowl MVP, joined by coach Tom Coughlin, Bloomberg, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and other teammates, waved and grinned from the float as a deep roar rose from the crowds.
Defensive end Justin Tuck said he was glad to be part of the team, leading its defence and sacking New England quarterback Tom Brady twice during the 21-17 victory over the Patriots.
"We made it here by believing in each other. We believe in every guy on this team," he said later during a ceremony at City Hall Plaza. "Honestly, we wouldn't be here today without your support."
The team was introduced with thunderous applause from the thousands of fans outside the City Hall gates. A lucky 250 fans received tickets to the fete, where the Giants were honoured with symbolic keys to the city.
The crowd went wild for running back Ahmed Bradshaw, who plopped down in the end zone Sunday to score the winning touchdown. Wide receiver Victor Cruz did his trademark salsa moves as he accepted his key.
Manning joked about the team's fourth-quarter comebacks. "Make it tough but make it possible," he said, laughing about how the team blew an early lead to come back and win. The Giants had eight fourth-quarter comebacks to win games during the season.
"Finish games, finish fourth quarters and finish the season strong. That's what we did," Manning said.
-- The Associated Press
Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 8, 2012 D4
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